What is carbetapentane and guaifenesin?
Carbetapentane is a cough suppressant. It affects the signals in the brain that trigger cough reflex.
Guaifenesin is an expectorant. It helps loosen mucus congestion in your chest and throat, making it easier to cough out through your mouth.
The combination of carbetapentane and guaifenesin is used to treat stuffy nose, cough, and chest congestion caused by the common cold or flu.
This medication will not treat a cough that is caused by smoking, asthma, or emphysema.
Carbetapentane and guaifenesin may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about carbetapentane and guaifenesin?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to carbetapentane or guaifenesin.
Do not give this medication to a child younger than 4 years old. Always ask a doctor before giving a cough or cold medicine to a child. Death can occur from the misuse of cough and cold medicines in very young children.
Do not use a cough or cold medicine if you have used an MAO inhibitor such as furazolidone (Furoxone), isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) in the last 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur, leading to serious side effects.
Before you take this medication, tell your doctor if you have asthma or other breathing problems, heart disease, high blood pressure, glaucoma, diabetes, an enlarged prostate, urination problems, or an overactive thyroid.
Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use.
Carbetapentane and guaifenesin may cause blurred vision or impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert and able to see clearly.
Do not take carbetapentane and guaifenesin for longer than 7 days in a row. Talk with your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 7 days of treatment, or if you have a fever with a headache or skin rash.
What should I discuss with my health care provider before taking carbetapentane and guaifenesin?
Do not use a cough or cold medicine if you have used an MAO inhibitor such as furazolidone (Furoxone), isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) in the last 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur, leading to serious side effects.
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to carbetapentane or guaifenesin.
To make sure you can safely take carbetapentane and guaifenesin, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:
asthma, emphysema, or other breathing problems;
heart disease or high blood pressure;
glaucoma;
diabetes;
an enlarged prostate or urination problems; or
overactive thyroid.
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether carbetapentane and guaifenesin will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication.
This medication can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Artificially sweetened liquid cough or cold medicine may contain phenylalanine. If you have phenylketonuria (PKU), check the medication label to see if the product contains phenylalanine.